(published in the March print edition of Groove magazine) “How I spend my time depends a great deal on where I’m living, the opportunities available and what stage of the relocation process I’m in. In the early days of living in a new place, it can take all day to complete simple tasks but as… Read More A Glimpse Into The Lives of Expat Wives
The year 2019 marks as the 70th year of the Philippine-Korea Diplomatic Ties. The Philippines extended and established foreign and diplomatic relations with South Korea on March 19, 1949. Diplomatic cars carry the national flags of the country it represents, but there’s another significant feature in diplomatic cars that highlights the value of the bilateral… Read More Philippine-Korea Diplomatic Relations reflected on Diplomatic Car Plate Number
IMPORTANT UPDATE: The Philippine Embassy in Seoul does not authenticate apostilled documents anymore. This took effect when the Philippines became a party to the Apostille Convention last May 14, 2019. Please refer to this blog post for update: Where and How to Apostille Documents Issued in Korea Early this year, I got the chance to… Read More Authentication of Documents Issued in Korea
I am an F-3 visa holder (Dependent’s Visa) since I came to Korea in 2006. My F-3 visa is courtesy of my husband’s E-7 visa, being his dependent spouse. My sons also got an F-3 visa until they were granted an F-2 visa after my husband got his F-5 visa (permanent resident visa). What happens… Read More Requirements for Visa Change from Dependent’s Visa to F-2 visa
My sons and I are F-3 visa holders (dependent’s visa courtesy of my husband’s E-7 visa). But what happens to the F-3 visa when the E-7 visa holder becomes an F-5 visa holder? Korean Immigration Law requires that F-3 visa (dependent’s visa) holders must apply for an F-2-3 visa. Application must be done before their… Read More How Do Minors of Permanent Resident Visa Holders Get the F-2 visa?
(published in Korea.net as “Acquiring Permanent Residency Without KOrean Proficiency”) The Permanent Resident Visa or the F5 visa is a most sought-after visa here in Korea. The requirements are rigid, including Korean language proficiency. My husband’s continuous stay here in Korea for more than 10 years on the same E7 visa qualified him to apply… Read More Permanent Resident Visa (F5) in Korea without Korean Language Proficiency
(also published in Korea.net: Honorary Reporters Meet Winners of Talk Talk Korea) The Korean Culture and Information Service (KOCIS) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs officially launched Talk Talk Korea in 2013 as a global content contest showcasing Korea to the world. The contest has come a long way since then. This year, 2018, had… Read More Honorary Reporters meet winners of Talk Talk Korea contest
The national costume of the Philippines are the barong tagalog for men and baro’t saya for women. I’ve always wanted to wear our Philippine dress the way Koreans proudly wear their Hanbok during every occasion they could possibly find a reason to wear it. I’m more inclined to get the more wearable and casual kimona which originated from the Visayas. The kimona, like the Mestiza and… Read More My Hablon “Patadyong”: Himu sa Miag-ao (Made in Miag-ao)
My 1-month summer stay in Cabanatuan made me miss my Monday morning routine at the public market. I never thought I was going to enjoy it. I did and I loved it! Big thanks to Ate Dolor and Kuya Ariel who made my palengke mornings memorable! I was surprised and amazed that you can actually get… Read More Shop Local at the Wet Markets
(published in Korea.net: A tribute to Korea’s strongest generation) I came across my old post “South Korea’s Halmonis” in my Facebook timeline. The post made me look back at my years here in South Korea and how I continue to look up to South Korea’s halmonis. The halmonis are Korea’s grandmothers. Like all grandmothers all over the… Read More Tribute to Korea’s Strongest Generation
